A former vice president of the European Central Bank has emerged as an early favorite to lead what could become a new Greek interim government of technical experts in preparation for possible elections next year.

Greece's Prime Minister George Papandreou narrowly survived a vote of confidence and vowed to start talks with all parties for the formation of a coalition government that will ratify a bailout package by Greece's creditors.

The future of George Papandreou's government remained in doubt ahead of a planned confidence vote on Friday, even as his decision to drop the proposed referendum quelled fears of an imminent Greek exit from the euro zone.